Black employees at Tesla raise new allegations of racism in the workplace

There are still accusations of workplace racism against the company.

Less than two months after California's Department of Fair Employment and Housing filed a massive lawsuit that accused the company of creating a hostile work environment for black employees, more testimony about the company's allegedly toxic work was given.

The Los Angeles Times published a lengthy report that included testimony from multiple Black ex-employees detailing the way they were treated at the company. It is worth the time to read the long read.

The accusations in the piece are disturbing. Several instances of racial slurs being directed at Black employees, as well as Black employees being given more tedious and more difficult work than their non-Black co-workers are included. Some workers were paid less than $20 per hour to work 12-hour shifts at least six days a week, with Black workers being grouped together in parts of the factory with no air conditioning.

When Musk visited the factory, one of the former workers said Black employees were not allowed to see him. According to the interviews, some people who filed complaints were fired after trying to report discrimination.

The San Francisco court found in October of 2016 that the company had not done enough to stop discrimination against black employees. In a settlement, the company had to pay over 130 million dollars. The company has something of an anti-union streak going back to at least the beginning of the year.

Don't be surprised if more and more allegations like this pop up in the future.